Lacrosse Playgroundhttp://www.lacrosseplayground.com
Lacrosse equipment, lacrosse gear, and the lacrosse lifestyle.Sat, 01 Aug 2015 15:07:38 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3GUARDIAN SPORTS CROWNS MENS CHAMPIONS AT 2nd ANNUAL GUARDIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPShttp://www.lacrosseplayground.com/guardian-sports-crowns-mens-champions-at-2nd-annual-guardian-national-championships/
http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/guardian-sports-crowns-mens-champions-at-2nd-annual-guardian-national-championships/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 13:34:17 +0000http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/?p=75405NEW YORK — July 31, 2015 – After three grueling days of head-to-head competition and evaluation, Guardian Sports is proud to announce that Collin Modelski, 2016 from De Paul Catholic High School and Brotherhood Travel Lacrosse in New Jersey, is the men’s overall winner for The 2nd Annual Guardian National Championship. Guardian National Champion Collin Modelski, DePaul Catholic HS and Brotherhood Lacrosse

In it’s second year, The Guardian National Championship (GNC) is the largest lacrosse goalie-specific showcase bringing together the top high school boys lacrosse goalies from across the country to compete and showcase their talents. The goalies are evaluated in 15 position-specific tests in four key component areas; REACTIONARY, OFFENSIVE, ATHLETIC and VIRTUAL.

2015 Men’s Guardian Champion, Collin Modelski, noted this was his first time at the Championship. “Any goalie that wants to come, don’t hesitate. It’s something that you’ve never seen before, It gets you better while you are working to be the best. The combine focuses on your skills but you also make good friends.”

Guardian Sports was created to institute a national lacrosse goaltending program. Guardian’s mission is simple – WE. CREATE. GUARDIANS. Guardian Sports provides the necessary resources and training for Goaltending development, training and recruitment at every level. This includes skill training, improving physical and mental competency, game day consistency and leadership education.

]]>http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/guardian-sports-crowns-mens-champions-at-2nd-annual-guardian-national-championships/feed/0GUARDIAN SPORTS CROWNS GIRLS WINNERS AT 2nd ANNUAL GUARDIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPShttp://www.lacrosseplayground.com/guardian-sports-crowns-girls-winners-at-2nd-annual-guardian-national-championships/
http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/guardian-sports-crowns-girls-winners-at-2nd-annual-guardian-national-championships/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 13:22:40 +0000http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/?p=75400NEW YORK — July 30, 2015 – The 2nd Annual Guardian National Championships presented by Guardian Sports today crowned winners for its high school girl’s lacrosse competition. Taking home the top honors as the 2015 Women Guardian National Championship was Megan Gianforte, from Manasquan High School in NJ and T3 Shore Black Travel Team. Megan is committed to the University of Richmond.
Guardian National Champion Megan Gianforte (left) with event founder

Ginny Capicchioni — (Photos by Elizabeth Dominguez)

In its second year, The Guardian National Championship (GNC) is the largest lacrosse goalie specific showcase bringing together the top high school girls lacrosse goalies from across the country to compete and showcase their talents for Division I, II and III college coaches. The goalies are evaluated in 15 position-specific tests in four key component areas; REACTIONARY, OFFENSIVE, ATHLETIC and VIRTUAL.

“The level of competition this year really was amazing,” said Ginny Capicchioni, Guardian Sports, Founder/CEO. “My staff and I are always looking for the next great goalie to catch our eye. We were blown away by how close the competition was this year and how some of our returning competitors took last years evaluations and stepped up their game. It is amazing to see how quickly our event has grown in popularity and level of competition in just one year. It is our goal to bring together the best high school goalies in the country and give them an event where they are the focus of attention. We are very proud to lend a hand in helping these talented goalies get recruited and make their dreams of playing at the college level become a reality.”

Guardian Sports was created to institute a national lacrosse goaltending program. Guardian’s mission is simple – WE. CREATE. GUARDIANS. Guardian Sports provides the necessary resources and training for Goaltending development, training and recruitment at every level. This includes skill training, improving physical and mental competency, game day consistency and leadership education.

]]>http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/guardian-sports-crowns-girls-winners-at-2nd-annual-guardian-national-championships/feed/0HEADstrong Lacrosse Club Announces Expansion Into South Jerseyhttp://www.lacrosseplayground.com/headstrong-lacrosse-club-announces-expansion-into-south-jersey/
http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/headstrong-lacrosse-club-announces-expansion-into-south-jersey/#commentsThu, 30 Jul 2015 17:05:10 +0000http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/?p=75395
The HEADstrong Foundation™ is proud to announce the creation of the HEADstrong Lacrosse Club of South Jersey. This fall, HEADstrong will launch two divisions of the non-profit lacrosse club with locations in Pitman (HLCSJ West) and Absecon, New Jersey (HLCSJ East). Both programs will initially consist of boy’s teams in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 graduating classes and will begin competing in fall 2015. HEADstrong has empowered Hofstra alum and South Jersey native Brad Loizeaux to lead HLCSJ West while Stockton University Men’s Lacrosse Coach Kevin Zulauf will be at the helm of HLCSJ East. The new program will operate in a year-round format integrating fall competition, winter skill development sessions, spring community service and summer tournament play. Within the next few weeks both divisions will host open tryouts in effort to build their rosters. HEADstrong South Jersey plans to take on much more than their opponents as they will be involved with fundraising efforts to help advance the mission of the HEADstrong Foundation™, a 501(c) 3 organization well known in the sport, committed to improving quality of life for cancer patients and their families.
HEADstrong South Jersey West will specifically target players from Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties, while the programs counterpart HEADstrong South Jersey East will target players from Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties. Tryouts are open to all players in the appropriate graduating year. There will be a $40 tryout fee with proceeds supporting the HEADstrong Foundation™. All players are encouraged to register online in advance. Walk-ups will be accepted however online registration is preferred. All protective gear including mouth guard will be required for tryouts.

Register Today for South Jersey WestClass of 2022 (6th grade): Sunday, August 30, 2015
11:30AM-1:00PM, Check-in will begin at 11AM in the athletic field parking lot.Class of 2021 (7th grade): Sunday, August 30, 2015
1PM-2:30PM, Check-in will begin at 12:30PM in the athletic field parking lot.Class of 2020 (8th grade): Sunday, August 30, 2015
2:30AM-4PM, Check-in will begin at 2PM in the athletic field parking lot.A secondary tryout will be held on Sunday, September 13th if necessary (Rain Date)

HEADstrong South Jersey East – Players from Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties
Tryout Location: Stockton University Multipurpose Athletic Field located on Pomona Road, Route 575 Absecon, NJ, 08201

Register Today for South Jersey EastClass of 2022 (6th grade): Sunday, September 13, 2015
8AM-9:30AM, Check-in will begin at 7:30AM in the athletic field parking lot.Class of 2021 (7th grade): Sunday, September 13, 2015

The Committed Combine is a unique event that will become the barometer for all DC/MD/VA area players to test themselves against both other committed high school players and even compete head to head against current D1 players!

The drone video shows some of the top players in the region in action this past week (7/22 thru 7/24). For those interested in future events below are some of the details from last week’s event.

Format:
(2) days of intense training, followed by a full length game on evening 3 with a live webcast by Kudda.com

Coach Pugh’s Staff will include:
(4) NCAA National Champions
(2) Current D1 Assistant Coaches
(2) Washington Post Players of the Year
(8) High School All American Award Winners
(3) Under Armour All-Americans
(2) Current MLL professionals

Highlights:
– Train at game speed against other committed HS players
– Play head to head against current D1 players
– Learn high-level skills that will separate you from the pack
– Webcast from Kudda.com featuring Booker Corrigan & Ty Xanders
– NIKE gear bag
– Personalized Highlights for each player from Krossover.com
– Parents receive FREE premium membership to www.lastpass.com

KINGSTON– Summer programming with the Jamaica Lacrosse Association (JLA) is in full swing as the start of their 3rd annual free lacrosse camp kicked off last week at St. George’s College in downtown Kingston.

Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the USA and Canada, and in recent years has quietly made it’s way into Jamaica, however this summer the sport appears to be poised to make some serious noise as participation is growing rapidly. Known as “the fastest game on two feet,” the fast paced sport which combines speed, strength and hand to eye coordination seems to fit Jamaica well!

Over 100 High School boys and girls are currently enjoying a free camp at STGC, while 50 boys are participating in a free camp in 3 Mile at Dupont Primary School .

The camp is free and is open to all high school boys and girls interested in joining and equipment is provided for free, while supplies last. The camp is organized by the JLA in conjunction with Fields of Growth International, an American based non-profit that also brings volunteer coaches to Jamaica from American Universities.

Students from high schools all over Kingston are participating in the camps including participants from: Hillel, Immaculate, Alpha, St. Hugh’s, Holy Trinity, Wolmer’s, St. George’s, Kingston College, Holy Trinity, Jamaica College, Vauxhall, Camperdown, Denham Town and more.

Young Jamaican lacrosse players could have a bright future to look forward to as lacrosse is the fastest growing scholarship sport in US Universities in the NCAA. Jamaica is also member of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The FIL is a member of the International World Games Association and Sport Accord. The FIL holds a World Cup every four years and has the goal of earning membership in the Summer Olympics.

There is still room for a limited number of campers to join the program. For more information, visit www.jamaicalacrosse.org

ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 25, 2015) – The Chesapeake Bayhawks used a final run in the fourth quarter to top the Charlotte Hounds 15-13 on Saturday night. Chesapeake’s head coach, Dave Cottle, ended his MLL coaching career with one final win, as he plans to join the front office management of the Bayhawks in 2016. Ben Rubeor was named Coca-Cola Player of the game following his five point (4g, 1a) performance, while Joe Walters added two goals and five assists and Drew Westervelt tallied three goals and two assists. Tyler Fiorito had 18 saves for the Bayhawks, with Niko Amato adding two in the second half, while Pierce Bassett made 19 saves for the Hounds. Joey Sankey played a stand out game with four goals, keeping the score close throughout the game.

Chesapeake’s Charlie Raffa won the first draw on a procedure call to start the game. Soon there after, Westervelt scored an outside shot from about 14 yards out. John Haus then hit one top side on a crease roll. Chesapeake went on a three-goal streak with scores from Rubeor, Matt Danowski and Westervelt. Sankey got a feed from Cunningham behind adding a point for the Hounds, followed by a two pointer from Pat Laconi, which was the result of Henry Lobb’s caused turnover on the defensive end. Matt Abbott added one more to put Chesapeake up by one at the end of the first quarter (5-4). The Hounds seemed to be struggling on the faceoff, with Raffa leading draws 8-1 at the end of the quarter.

At the end of the first, two illegal sticks calls against the Hounds gave the Bayhawks a six-minute man up situation, which carried over into the second quarter. But the Hounds’ defense was able to hold Chesapeake from scoring within the power play time. Abbott scored the first of quarter with an assist from Walters, putting Chesapeake up by 2. Terry Kimener then broke down the defense and put the Hounds back on the board with 6:40 left in the half. Walters fed another to Matt Donovan from top to bottom for a goal right on the crease. Garrett Thul, who made his season debut for the Hounds after finishing US Army Ranger School, tied up the game with the Hounds’ second two pointer.

Chesapeake put in Amato, who had not played yet this season, at goal for the third quarter. Walters began the quarter with back-to-back assists to Rubeor and Westervelt. Sankey knocked in two more, tying the game again with three minutes remaining in the third. Walters scored off a screen before Kimener fed Mike Sawyer on the inside at the end of the shot clock. Sankey added his fourth with 10 seconds left to give the Hounds their first lead of the game. However, Raffa took the ball all the way from the faceoff to tie it up with only 4.3 seconds left in the quarter.

Fiorito was put back in goal to finish the game off for the Bayhawks. The first five minutes of the quarter went back and forth without a goal until John Haus scored despite a penalty that left him in the crease. Sawyer added another side arm shot making it 13-11 Hounds with 8:24 left in the game. Danowski and Rubeor answered back scoring one each, tying it once again. With 3:15 remaining, fast break offense put Chesapeake back on top, Westervelt to Rubeor. The Hounds then pulled Bassett out of the goal to try to cause a turnover, which ended up giving Walters an opportunity to shoot on an open net, finishing the game with a two-point deficit.

The Hounds now enter the offseason with two first-round and three second-round picks in the 2016 MLL Collegiate Draft, scheduled for early January 2016. Meanwhile, the New York Lizards, Ohio Machine, Rochester Rattlers and Boston Cannons continue on to the postseason. MLL semi-final games will be played on Aug. 1 and the MLL Championship will be played at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga., on Aug. 8.

About Charlotte Hounds
In January 2011, Major League Lacrosse announced a league expansion for the 2012 season that included Columbus, OH and Charlotte, NC. The Charlotte Hounds began play in 2012 at historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. The organization is dedicated to growing the sport of lacrosse in Charlotte and the Carolinas, as well as providing a unique sports environment that entertains and embraces fans.

]]>http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/hounds-secure-1st-overall-2016-draft-pick-with-15-13-loss-to-bayhawks/feed/0MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE AND US LACROSSE ANNOUNCE 2015 PLAYER AND TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD WINNERShttp://www.lacrosseplayground.com/major-league-lacrosse-and-us-lacrosse-announce-2015-player-and-team-sportsmanship-award-winners/
http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/major-league-lacrosse-and-us-lacrosse-announce-2015-player-and-team-sportsmanship-award-winners/#commentsTue, 28 Jul 2015 14:31:42 +0000http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/?p=75380

MLL and US Lacrosse partner up to showcase the League’s player and team that exemplify the “Compete With Class” message

US Lacrosse and Major League Lacrosse have named New York Lizards midfielder, Greg Gurenlian as the winner of the 2015 USL/MLL Sportsmanship Player of the Year Award, as well as the Rochester Rattlers as the winner of the League’s 2015 USL/MLL Team Sportsmanship Award. Both selections were based on voting conducted among the League’s game officials.

2015, marks the second annual presentation of the USL/MLL Sportsmanship Awards, which are a partnership between Major League Lacrosse and US Lacrosse to promote good sportsmanship in the sport of lacrosse. The award was implemented to highlight the player that exemplifies sportsmanship on field as professional lacrosse players. The USL/MLL Sportsmanship Award is more than the class the player demonstrates to his peers but also the larger responsibility of being a great role model for younger players.

“Greg exemplifies the attitude and behavior that serve as great model for players of all ages,” said Rick Lake, Men’s Game Senior Manager at US Lacrosse. “As a member of Team USA, Greg has always demonstrated a great respect for the game, and it’s no surprise that he brings that same commitment to the MLL and the New York Lizards. He’s a great ambassador for lacrosse both on and off the field.”

Gurenlian, a Penn State University alum, and All-Star midfielder for the New York Lizards, is most known for his skills as a faceoff specialist for the Lizards and Team USA. As a nine-year veteran of Major League Lacrosse, some of Gurenlian’s most notable accolades have been; “2014 MLL FaceOff Man of the Year”, MLL All-Pro, most faceoff wins in an MLL season, MLL record holder for highest win percentage in a season, Most ground balls in an MLL season, NY Lizards career faceoff wins leader and career groundballs leader. The award going to a faceoff specialist is also particularly interesting with the amount of interaction they have with the officials who are deciding the award.

“This is a huge honor. People always ask me ‘Is so-and-so a good guy?’ Well everyone in this league is a good guy. The true professionals, though, we don’t just take this role as athletes, we are also role models,” said Gurenlian upon being informed he was the 2015 recipient of the award. “This is a huge honor. We teach our kids at a young age about sportsmanship, that no matter how hard you hit, you help the guy up. We have to act accordingly and to be recognized as someone who does this, especially as a coach, means a lot to me.”

Off the field, Greg Gurenlian is the Co-Founder & Coach of The FaceOff Academy, President of Tribe7 Lacrosse, Co-Founder of FOANutrition.com, Professional Strength & Conditioning Coach, USAW Certified Olympic Weightlifting Coach and a US Lacrosse Convention Speaker.

“US Lacrosse would like to congratulate the Rochester Rattlers for winning the Sportsmanship Team of the Year Award for the second straight year. It’s clearly evident that Coach Tim Soudan, his staff and their players place a high priority on honoring the game and demonstrating the true spirit of lacrosse,” said Rick Lake.

The USL/MLL Team Sportsmanship Award has for a second straight year has been awarded to the Rochester Rattlers. “Competing with class is something I picked up early on in my coaching career and is something we stress with our players” said Rattlers Head Coach Tim Soudan. “We have a team that carries out those values each and every week, and we always preach about being a family and I am very proud of this group and honored we received this award.”

“It’s such an honor to receive the USL/MLL Sportsmanship Award for the second year in a row,” said Rattlers Chief, Operating Officer Brad Ford. “I think it goes to show that when you play the game right and treat everyone involved fairly and with respect for them and the game itself, it doesn’t go unnoticed.”

You can catch Greg Gurenlian as well as the 2015 USL/MLL Team Sportsmanship Award winning Rochester Rattlers next Saturday as Gurenlian’s New York Lizards take on the Boston Cannons and the Rochester Rattlers battle the Ohio Machine in semifinal matchups that will determine the 2015 MLL Championship Game on Saturday, August 8 at 7 p.m., at Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University. Tickets for the Championship Game can be purchased HERE.

US Lacrosse and Major League Lacrosse encourage all lacrosse participants take the pledge to compete with class and honor the game. To read more about this sportsmanship initiative, please visit uslacrosse.org/competewithclass.

About US Lacrosse

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse and the home of the nation’s fastest-growing sport. US Lacrosse has more than 450,000 members in 67 regional chapters across the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse provides programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the sport. Bookmark, like and follow US Lacrosse at uslacrosse.org, fb.com/uslacrosse and @uslacrosse respectively.

About Major League Lacrosse

Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Boston. Major League Lacrosse commenced play in June 2001 and has embarked on its fifteenth season. MLL has continued to lead the sport of lacrosse into the mainstream of competitive team sports. The league is made up of eight teams: The Boston Cannons, Charlotte Hounds, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Denver Outlaws, Florida Launch, New York Lizards, Ohio Machine and Rochester Rattlers.

“I am pleased to welcome Eric Wolf to the Harvard program. He was an integral part of Albany’s success the last four years as their offensive coordinator,” Wojcik stated. “Eric played under and coached alongside Scott Marr, one of the best offensive minds in the game. Their success at Albany has been transformational for the game of lacrosse, and I am excited Eric will be joining us for the next chapter of his career.”

Wolf had served the previous four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Albany where he boasted the nation’s highest scoring offense each of the last three years. Albany set new Division I records with 325 goals, 203 assists and 528 points in 2015, with the 2013 and 2014 squads also ranking in the NCAA’s top 10 for points and goals in a season. The Great Danes reached the NCAA tournament in each of the three years after capturing the America East Tournament championship, reaching the quarterfinals in 2014 and 2015.

Wolf coached a pair of Tewaaraton winners at Albany in Lyle and Miles Thompson. The brothers shared the award in 2014 after finishing the year with 128 points and 119 points, respectively, ranking first and second in NCAA history. Lyle repeated as the Tewaaraton winner in 2015, and graduated as the NCAA’s all-time leader in points (400) and assists (225) while ranking 12th in goals (175). In total the Great Danes earned nine All-America honors with Wolf on the staff.

From 2009-11 Wolf led the offense at Siena, helping the Saints to a pair of MAAC championships and NCAA tournament berths. Siena captured its regular season championship each of his three seasons on staff, while two of his student-athletes, Ryan Duggan and Bryan Neufeld, were named MAAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Wolf was a four-year letterwinner at Albany, playing in 62 career games primarily as a midfielder. The Great Danes won three America East Tournament championships and made the NCAA tournament three times during his career, including his senior season in 2007 when the team reached the quarterfinals. Following graduation Wolf worked as the team’s director of operations before accepting the position at Siena.

Wolf graduated from Albany in 2007 with a degree in sociology and a minor in education.

The IWLCA announced today its 2015 National and Regional Coaches of the Year. Cathy Reese of the University of Maryland, Kristen Selvage of Lock Haven Univesity and Kelly Lickert-Orr of SUNY Cortland were named the National Coaches of the Year for Division I, II & III respectively. Cathy Reese led the Terrapins to their second straight Division I National title with 21-1 record. Kristen Selvage posted a 20-1 record while leading the Bald Eagles to its second straight national championship game. Kelly Lickert-Orr guided her 2015 Red Dragons to their first Division III National Championship in the program’s history with a 22-1 record.